Methods of Balance of Power:

Balance of Power is not automatic; it has to be secured by the states following this policy. In
fact, there are several methods by which states try to secure and maintain balance of power.
Balance of Power is a game which is played by actors with the help of several devices.
Major Methods of Balance of Power are:

Compensation: It is also known as territorial compensation. It usually entails the

annexation or division of the territory of the state whose power is considered
dangerous for the balance. In the 17th and 18th centuries this device was regularly
used for maintaining a balance of power which used to get disturbed by the territorial
acquisitions of any nation.

Alliances and Counter Alliances: Alliance-making are regarded as a principal

method of balance of power. Alliance is a device by which a combination of nations
creates a favourable balance of power by entering into military or security pacts
aimed at augmenting their own strength vis-a-vis the power of their opponents.
However, an alliance among a group of nations, almost always, leads to the
establishment of a counter alliance by the opponents. History is full of examples of
such alliances and counter alliances.

Intervention and Non-intervention: Intervention is a dictatorial interference in the

internal affairs of other state/states with a view to change or maintain a particular
desired situation which is considered to be harmful or useful to the competing
opponents. Some times during a war between two states no attempt is made by other
states to intervene. This is done for making the two warring states weaker. As such
intervention and non-intervention are used as devices of Balance of Power. Mostly it
is used by a major power for regaining an old ally or for picking up a new ally or for
imposing a desired situation on other states.

Divide and Rule: The policy of divide and rule has also been a method of balance of
power. It has been a time honoured policy of weakening the opponents. It is resorted
to be all such nations who try to make or keep their competitors weak by keeping
them divided or by dividing them.

Buffer States or Zones: Another method of balance of power is to set up a buffer

state between two rivals or opponents. Buffers, observes V.V. Dyke, are areas which

are weak, which possess considerable strategic importance to two or more strong
powers, Buffer is a small state created or maintained as a separating state i.e. as a
buffer state for keeping two competing states physically separate each stronger power
then tries to bring the buffer within its sphere of influence but regards it as important,
if not vital, that no other strong power be permitted to do so. The major function of a
buffer is to keep the two powerful nations apart and thus minimise the chances of
clash and hence to help the maintenance of balance.

Armaments and Disarmaments: All nations, particularly very powerful nations,

place great emphasis on armaments as the means for maintaining or securing a
favourable position in power relations in the world. It is also used as a means to keep
away a possible aggressor or enemy. However, armament race between two
competitors or opponents can lead to a highly dangerous situation which cans
accidently cause a war. In this way armament race can act as a danger to world peace
and security. Consequently, now-a-days, Disarmaments and Arms Control are
regarded as better devices for maintaining and strengthening world peace and security.
A comprehensive disarmament plan/exercise involving nuclear disarmament can go a
long way in strengthening the balance (peace) that exists in international relations.

The Holder of the Balance or the Balancer: The system of balance of power may
consist of two scales plus a third element holder of the balance or the balancer. The
balancer is a nation or a group of nations, which remains aloof from the policies of the
two rivals or opponents and plays the role of, the laughing third party. It poses
temptations to both parties to the balance, and each contending party tries to win over
the support of the laughing third partythe balancer. Normally, the balancer remains
away from both the parties but if any party to the balance becomes unduly weak
resulting into a threat to the balance, the balancer joins it and helps the restoration of
balance. After that the balancer again becomes aloof.